"Noah's Testament

There have been 124,000 prophets who came to Earth. Each prophet guided the people to the right path and conveyed the message of Allah. God is one, and we should worship only Allah. The first prophet was Adam, followed by his son Seth.

There are two opinions on the Prophetic timeline of Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ )

The first is the opinion of many Historians like Ibn Katheer, who wrote Prophet Nuh as coming after Prophet Idris; may peace be upon them.

However, some scholars believe that ayah 163 of Surah Nisa suggests he came first before Idrees,

“Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], as We revealed to Noah and the prophets after him...”

We present both views so you, as a student of knowledge, are aware. There isn't enough evidence to conclude with absolute certainty, nor is there any benefit in investigating this matter further. This piece is written with the perspective that Nuh (as) came after Idris.


LIFE AFTER PROPHET IDRIS (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ):

The Muslims were left stranded following the death of Prophet Idris ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) . Since no other man from amongst them was chosen as a Prophet, people began to look to the pious companions of Idris for guidance.

They respected and followed these righteous men and consulted them whenever they faced a problem. Eventually, as time passed by, the pious men also passed, leaving the Muslims again with no leader for guidance.

They feared and were worried that they would stray from the path of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ)

Satan who watched on with shrewd eyes approached the wailing men and women disguised as a man and whispered into their ears if we make statues of these righteous man it will be more pleasing to us in our worship and will remind us of the men agreed as they perceived no harm in erecting statues of their most pious men that would surely help them remember Allah and encourage them to do good.

Satan had successfully planted his corrupt seed. He was patient, for he knew that convincing people to worship another besides Allah was a gradual process.

When that generation had passed and a new generation arose, Satan whispered into the ears of the people: "Your forefathers used to worship these idols. These statues brought them goodness." Thus, idolatry took root in the hearts of people.
Centuries passed, and Allah decided to send a Prophet to guide the idolaters back to the truth. The Prophet chosen for this sacred task was Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) (the judeo-Christian equivalent to the Prophet Noah).

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) blessed his loyal disciple with eloquent speech and immense patience so that he may carry out his duty with success. So Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) began to preach to his people about the mysteries of the vast universe—he informed them about the night and the day, the stars and the moon, the plants and animals, and the heavens and the earth.

He explained to them that man was created by Allah to glorify and worship Him. Nuh then told them about the oneness of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) — that the mysteries of the world were only proof of the existence of one true God, and that is none other than Allah the Most High. He explained to them that Satan had misled them into worshiping idols and warned them of a terrible punishment from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) if they continued their idol worship.


The People of Prophet Nuh listened to him with great confusion and patience.

The most miserable and desperate amongst Nuh's people began to find hope and solace in the Prophet's words and gradually entered into the fold of Islam, whilst the affluent watched on with rage.

They said to Nuh:
“We see you but a man like ourselves.”

Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) explained to them that he was certainly a human being, and Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) had explicitly chosen a human messenger as the earth was predominantly occupied by humans after all.
And if angels occupied the earth, Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) would have surely sent an angelic messenger to convey his message.

One day, the wealthy leaders of the city approached Prophet Nuh and said, "Listen, Nuh, if you want us to believe in you, then dismiss your followers. They are meek and poor, whereas we are elite and rich. No faith can include both of us."
Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) was well aware of the ignorance of the wealthy men. He knew that he had to remain calm in order to explain to them that materialistic possessions were worthless in the sight of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ), and it was what is within one's heart that really mattered to Him.
“
Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) replied to them:
O my people! I ask for no wealth for it, my reward is from none but Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). I am not going to drive away those who have believed. Surely, they are going to meet their Lord, but I see that you are ignorant people. O my people! Who will help me against Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) , if I drove them away? Will you not then give a thought? And I do not say to you that with me are the Treasures of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) nor that I know the unseen, nor do I say that I am an angel, and I do not say of those whom your eyes look down upon that Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will not bestow any good on them. Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) knows what is in their inner selves. In that case, I should, indeed be one of the wrongdoers.”
— Surah Hud, Ayat 29-31


The idolaters were furious. They had tolerated Nuh's ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) incessant preaching and arguments for far too long.
“
They angrily challenged Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) :
“O Nuh( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) ! You have disputed with us and have prolonged the dispute with us, now bring upon us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful.”
— Surah Hud Ayah 32

“Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) replied:
“Only Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) will bring the punishment on you, if He wills, and then you will not be able to escape. And my advice will not profit you, even if I wish to give you counsel, if Allah's Will is to keep you astray. He is your Lord! And to Him you shall return.”
— Surah Hud, Ayat 33-34
The disbelievers, who had lost all patience with Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), resorted to hurl insults at the Messenger of Allah in attempt to frighten him from preaching the religion of Islam.

They said:
“Verily, we see you in plain error”

Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) patiently replied:
“O my people! There is no error in me, but I am a Messenger from the Lord of the worlds! I convey unto you the Messages of my Lord and give sincere advice to you. And I know from Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) what you know not.”
Despite continuous mockery and rejection, Prophet Nuh persisted in calling his people to Islam for nine hundred fifty years. However, each new generation that emerged rejected Nuh, just as their fathers had done.
PROPHET NUH (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) MAKES SUPPLICATION:
Each child that reached an age of understanding was clearly warned against the teachings of Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ). Whenever the Prophet approached them, they ran away from him. They found every excuse to escape from the presence of Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ).

Before long, Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) realized that the number of disbelievers was rapidly rising while the number of believers remained unchanged. He was very upset for his people and feared a terrible predicament for them, but he was left with no choice.

So Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) prayed to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ):
“My Lord! They have disobeyed me, and followed one whose wealth and children give them no increase but only loss. They have plotYa'uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols)'. Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the disbelievers.”ted a mighty plot. They have said: 'you shall not leave your gods, nor shall you leave Wadd, Suwa, Yaghuth ,Ya'uq, nor Nasr (names of the idols)'. Indeed they have led many astray. O Allah! Grant no increase to the disbelievers.”
Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ soon revealed to Prophet Nuh that no other man from his people would enter Islam thereafter.

“Sad and frustrated, Prophet Nuh replied to Allah:
"My Lord! Leave not one of the disbelievers on the earth. If you leave them, they will mislead Your slaves and they will beget none but wicked disbelievers."

Prophet Nuh's prayer was accepted by his Lord.

He instructed Prophet Nuh:
"And construct the ark under Our Eyes and with Our Inspiration and address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong."
Outside the city limits, away from the sea, Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) began to build the ark through day and night with the support and guidance of the Angels.The construction of the ark continued amidst the constant mockery of the people.

They jeered at Prophet Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ), saying:
“O Nuh! Does carpentry appeal to you more than prophethood? Why are you building an ark so far from the sea? Are you going to drag it to the water or is the wind going to carry it for you?”

Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) answered:
“You will come to know who will be put to shame and suffering.”

Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) then instructed to Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) that when the oven at his home begins to gush forth water, collect the believers and board the ark for it was the first sign of the beginning of the floods that would destroy the disbelievers. Not long after, the terrible day dawned as water began gushing forth from the oven at Prophet Nuh's house. Nuh knew it was time to board the ark. Along with the believers, Nuh also took with him pairs of animals, birds, and insects.

The people who witnessed Nuh's peculiar behavior laughed at him again, saying:
“Nuh must have gone out of his head! What is he going to do with the animals?

THE FLOOD

Soon after, heavy rains began to pour down from the angry skies, and water began to rise through every crack on earth. It didn't take long before the oceans completely conquered the once-dry land.

Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) witnessed the terrible calamity that had befallen his people. He knew the disbelievers had no escape from the wrath of Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ). Amongst the disbelievers was Prophet Nuh's wife and son, who refused to board his ark. Nuh (عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ) desperately called out to his son:
“O my son! Embark with us and be not among the disbelievers.”

The ignorant son of Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) replied,
“I will get to the mountain; it will save me from the water.”

Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) answered:
“This day there is no saviour from the Decree of Allah except him on whom He has mercy.”

Before long, Nuh's son was engulfed by the angry waves, never to be seen again. When every single disbeliever had perished, Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ ordered the skies and the earth:

"O Earth! Swallow up your water, and O sky! Withhold your rain."

The skies immediately cleared, and the sun shined brightly on the land. Meanwhile, Nuh's ark peacefully landed on Mount Judi. Allah سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ instructed His Prophet:

"O Nuh! Come down (from the ship) with peace from Us and blessings on you and on the people who are with you."


As instructed, Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ), along with the believers, got off the ark, releasing the rescued animals, birds and insects across the green land.Prophet Nuh ( عَلَيْهِ ٱلسَّلَامُ ) placed his forehead on the ground, prostrated to his Lord, and thanked Him immensely for His mercy and blessings. The believers were grateful to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) for safeguarding them from the terrible ordeal and observed a day of fasting as an act of gratitude to Allah (سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ) .